MLB: Alex Rodriguez's Appeal Impeding NY Yankees Trade And 2014 Free Agency Plan

The New York Yankees are expected to make waves in the trade and 2014 free agency market, but club manager Joe Girardi admitted that they are reluctant to make moves due to the pending case of Alex Rodriguez.

In an interview with ESPN New York, Girardi pointed that Rodriguez's appeal on his punishment after violating the MLB joint drug agreement is complicating their offseason plans.

The hearing for Rodriguez's appeal is scheduled on Nov. 18 in Manhattan and Rodriguez's lawyer Joe Tacopina said that the process will last for five days.

Arbitrator Fredric Horowitz said that it could take more than 25 days to know whether the 211-game suspension of Rodriguez will be upheld, which would force the Yankees to wait likely until December before making their moves.

"I think it complicates," said Girardi when asked about the effects of Rodriguez's appeal on their offseason plans. "It's important that we know. Because if we're not going to have him, we need to fill that void. It does cause us to think a lot about, 'Do we need a third baseman or do we not need a third baseman?' Hopefully we'll know sooner rather than later."

The Yankees are looking to decrease their payroll to $189 million, but team owner Hal Steinbrenner reportedly gave the go-ahead for the team to spend $300 million this offseason.

Retaining Robinson Cano, who is reportedly asking for a 10-year deal worth $300 million, remains the top priority of the Yankees, but they are also looking for other options.

The Yankees are also reportedly bidding for the services of highly-coveted Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka and free-agent catcher Brian McCann.

The club also offered a $14.1 million qualifying offer to Curtis Granderson, who has until Monday to decide whether to accept the offer or not. If Granderson decides to snub the offer, the Yankees are expected to pursuit Carlos Beltran and Shin-Soo Choo.